Supply and Logistics Officer

Support all UNICEF programme delivery in The Gambia.

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Application deadline 7 months ago: Thursday 9 Oct 2025 at 00:00 UTC

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Overview

Support all UNICEF programme delivery in The Gambia.

You have:

  • Experience at the national or international levels, in supply, logistics, procurement, contracting, administration and/or other directly related technical fields is required.
  • Understanding of development and humanitarian work.
  • Emergency experience is an advantage.
  • Health supply chain management experience is an advantage.
  • Good analytical skills and negotiating skills.
  • Ability to clearly and concisely express ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
  • Ability to manage and monitor the effective use of financial and material resources.
  • Ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious working relationships, both within and outside the organisation.
  • Fast learner, adapts and responds to change, tolerates ambiguity.
  • Basic knowledge of latest developments and technology in supply chain management.
  • Basic understanding of supply chain processes, from programme needs assessment, through planning, procurement and contracting, logistics and delivery, monitoring and evaluation.
  • Basic knowledge and understanding of UNICEF programmes, public procurement principles, financial and legal aspects of supply chain issues, ethics and risk management of supply chain operations.

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

This UNV assignment is part of UNICEF Operations team to support all UNICEF programme delivery in The Gambia. The Gambia is one of the smallest countries in West Africa but one of the most densely populated countries in Africa facing logistics constraints due to its limited market. The Supply and Logistics officer position will ensure timely provision of supplies in The Gambia Country Office.

The Supply and Logistic Officer reports to the Deputy Representative Operations for supervision and guidance and supervises the Supply Associate. In this role, s/he will provide technical and operational support as per the Country Office (CO) set-up and is responsible for managing the supply chains of the Gambia CO. The supply chain operations include planning, procurement, contracting, customs clearance, warehousing, in country transport and distribution, as well as monitoring of supplies, services and construction works. The incumbent supports management collaboration with programmes in defining supply interventions to meet programmatic needs and achieve results for children, and provides technical and advisory support to governments, national systems and partners on supply chain management.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities: a) Supervision of supply team b) Supply Chain service delivery and emergency response c) Collaboration with programme and implementing partners d) Technical, advisory support to government/national systems e) Innovation, products and markets

a. Supervision of the supply team • Preparation of the annual work plan for the Supply team; assist in determining priorities/targets and performance measurements and monitoring work progress to ensure that results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards. • Supervise and coach team members, ensure timely performance management of staff. In collaboration with Supply Division, Regional Office and the global supply community, ensure knowledge sharing and learning is prioritized in order to continuously build capacity of individuals and the team. • In consultation with supervisor, ensure establishment and maintenance of operational capacity to handle CO supply chains, including staffing (appropriate staffing structure, timely recruitment, clarity of roles and responsibilities) and contracting of third party services if applicable (e.g. customs clearance, warehousing, transport, distribution)

b. Supply chain service delivery and emergency response • In consultation with supervisor, provide input to the Country Programme Action Planning and advice on Supply requirements for the Plan of Operations and Annual Work Plans. Participate in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the supply chain operations, including establishment of performance indicators, and assessment of fit for purpose of products and services. • Monitor and review supply spend and draft procurement strategies based on category management in order to focus on strategic, essential supplies and services that contribute to results for children, and support the establishment of long term agreements (LTAs) where relevant. Maintain highest level of integrity, ethical standards and accountability in the procurement of goods, contracting of services and construction work. • Monitor progress of offshore and/or regional procurement and take action to ensure timely customs clearance of supplies entering the country. Maintain appropriate warehousing, inventory management and in-country transport in support of the country programme implementation. Keep stakeholders/partners informed on the progress. Implement appropriate vendor management practices e.g. supply performance reviews. • Analyze supply dashboards, implementation rates of key performance indicators and supply information/data from various systems and conduct root cause analysis of supply chain bottlenecks and challenges, with a view to drive improvements and ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children. • Participate in the development of an emergency supply & logistics strategy based on risk • assessment analysis and Programme assumptions. Ensure an emergency supply and logistics preparedness action plan for the CO is established in line with Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCC), and implemented (establishment of relevant LTAs and frame agreements for emergency response, prepositioning of stock, and training of staff in the country office). • Build strong working relations with Regional Chiefs of Supply/Regional Chief of Operations, as well as Supply Division, to align with global and regional approaches and initiatives in supply chain management.

c. Collaboration with programme and implementing partners • In collaboration with supervisor, develop close collaboration with programme sections through involvement in programme design, planning, and preparation for implementation of supply components as well as monitoring and evaluation. Establish accountability framework with programmes, for delivery of results for children. • Prepare supply documentation to facilitate input to donor dialogue, and support development of supply components of proposals to donors including budgeting and use of innovative financing mechanisms for supplies, services and construction works. • Support assessment of and collaboration with implementing partners including civil society, establishment of Programme Cooperation Agreements (PCAs), and monitoring of supply components under Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT). • Participate in events/meetings that build partnerships and collaborative relations with Government, UN organizations and bilateral counterparts in supply and logistics activities including harmonized and collaborative procurement.

d. Technical and advisory support to government/national systems • Provide input to promoting of supply chain strengthening and change management initiatives with governments and partners, to ensure efficient and effective supply chains for children. • Contribute to pilots and support the actual roll-out of new products and services, in close collaboration with supervisor and Supply Division. • Support initiatives for promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices on supply chain management within the organization as well as with externals to ensure effective and efficient supply chains for children. • Further to analysis of supply spend and related procurement strategies, support initiatives to ensure local market development where relevant.

e. Innovation, products and markets • Contribute to pilots and support the actual roll-out of new products and services, in close collaboration with supervisor and Supply Division. • Support initiatives for promote critical thinking, innovative approaches and good practices on supply chain management within the organization as well as with externals to ensure effective and efficient supply chains for children. • Further to analysis of supply spend and related procurement strategies, support initiatives to ensure local market development where relevant.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

i) Core Values • Care • Respect • Integrity • Trust • Accountability • Sustainability ii) Core Competencies (For Staff with Supervisory Responsibilities) * • Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1) • Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2) • Works Collaboratively with others (2) • Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2) • Innovates and Embraces Change (2) • Thinks and Acts Strategically (2) • Drive to achieve impactful results (2) • Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

experience at the national or international levels, in supply, logistics, procurement, contracting, administration and/or other directly related technical fields is required. • Understanding of development and humanitarian work. • Emergency experience is an advantage. • Health supply chain management experience is an advantage. • Good analytical skill and negotiating skills. • Ability to clearly and concisely express ideas and concepts in written and oral form. • Ability to manage and monitor the effective use of financial and material resources. • Ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious working relationships, both within and outside the organisation. • Fast learner, adapts and responds to change, tolerates ambiguity. • Basic knowledge of latest developments and technology in supply chain management. • Basic understanding of supply chain processes, from programme needs assessment, through planning, procurement and contracting, logistics and delivery, monitoring and evaluation. • Basic knowledge and understanding of UNICEF programmes, public procurement principles, financial and legal aspects of supply chain issues, ethics and risk management of supply chain operations.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.

Potential interview questions

Can you describe your experience managing supply chains in a humanitarian context? This question assesses your relevant experience and understanding of supply chain management, especially in emergencies. Discuss specific situations where you successfully managed supply chains under challenging circumstances.
How do you ensure effective collaboration with program partners? This question evaluates your teamwork and partnership management skills. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies do you employ to monitor supply chain performance? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How have you adapted to changing situations in past roles? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you give an example of a time when you implemented an innovative solution in logistics? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe how you have trained and supervised a team in a previous role. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you approach negotiations with suppliers? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What do you believe are the key challenges in supply chain management within humanitarian settings? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 9 months ago - Updated 7 months ago - Source: unv.org